Resource #1: Use someone else's research
You don't have to invent something new. You can license research done by universities and others, and you can use ideas that are now public domain. Where do you dig up the research? In very specialized search engines.
When you search the academic papers, you have to plow through some difficult academic and legal language. But the ideas are out there.
1. Use academic search engines
Both Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic Search offer searches of academic publications. You'll find papers relating to a wide range of topics. Most of the ideas returned in these engines could be licensed from their universities.
2. Search open access information
Globally, an Open Access movement is sweeping the science communities. The push is on to make more scientific research openly available, with no restriction. One result is the OAIster search for digital resources. Despite the OA (Open Access) in its name, OAIster includes both public domain and licensable ideas.
3. Search research sharing sites
Two research sharing resources are iBridge Network in the USA and Flintbox in Canada. Universities can post standardized explanations of their potentially marketable results. Anyone can go and search the papers. Most of these are available for license.
4. Search Patents Online
After 20 years, US patents usually expire, and the ideas become public domain. You can look at patents as sources of ideas, by searching at Google Patents. It is also now integrated in their Scholar academic search that I mentioned above. Remember that most patents never make it to the market as real products. Some just never got funded, and some are not marketable products to begin with.
Resource #2: Search idea sites and feeds
5. Monitor business idea feeds
Springwise New Business Ideas and Cool Business Ideas offer RSS feeds, or you can go directly to their sites to search. You never know what business idea they will profile. You may find an inspiring idea, or more likely, an opportunity to license an existing business idea from a global source. 60 Second Ideas is now dormant, but still has terrific ideas in their archives.
6. Participate in idea sites and forums
One forum where people publicly post ideas is Cambrian House, at the Idea Explorer. You could use the ideas for inspiration, a springboard to another new idea. As an entrepreneur, you may choose to get involved with the Cambrian House projects, where there is at least a potential for money benefit.
7. Watch other business sites for ideas
Many business writers come up with occasional new ideas. I've especially noticed business author Seth Godin freely sharing ideas. You can set up and save searches for new business ideas. Most search sites will send you results by email or RSS feed
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